Crews have reached an average depth of 85 feet at the future Wilshire/Rodeo subway station, with a goal of reaching 100 feet by the end of the first quarter of 2021. (photo courtesy of Metro)

Work will continue in February on the first two stages of the Purple Line Extension subway project along Wilshire Boulevard from Century City to Wilshire/Western.

In Century City, crews are launching twin tunneling machines, and due to unforeseen circumstances, approval is being sought for a three-month extension of a full closure of the launch box at Century Park East. If approved by the city of Los Angeles, Constellation Boulevard may remain fully closed to traffic between Century Park East and a private driveway on the south side of Constellation Boulevard until May 24. Pedestrian access on Constellation Boulevard will remain open.

Constellation Boulevard remains closed west of Avenue of the Stars through April 4 to facilitate the completion of piling and decking. Vehicles will not be permitted onto Constellation Boulevard west of Avenue of the Stars to Solar Way. There will also be a partial lane closure in place on Constellation Boulevard east of Avenue of the Stars on weekdays through April 4.

In Beverly Hills, excavation continues at the future Wilshire/Rodeo subway station. No work will occur on Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Crews have reached approximately 85 feet in depth toward the goal of reaching a final depth of 100 feet by the end of the first quarter of 2021. New hauling hours for removing soil will necessitate intermittent lane closures on Wilshire Boulevard between El Camino and Crescent drives.

As excavation nears completion, construction of the underground station will enter a new phase. More materials and equipment will be brought to the site as station construction continues through 2024.

Ongoing ground monitoring is also occurring in the tunnel alignment and around the Wilshire/Rodeo station. Work hours are weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for work on Wilshire Boulevard, and weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the neighborhoods surrounding Wilshire Boulevard.

Station construction, material deliveries, instrumentation and concrete pouring continue at the Wilshire/La Cienega station box. Ongoing concrete and material deliveries to the Wilshire/La Cienega station box are anticipated to continue this week. Work will be conducted from Wilshire Boulevard and within the Gale staging yard from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Eastbound Wilshire Boulevard may be intermittently reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., as needed. The closure may also be implemented on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additional intermittent lane reductions, turn restrictions and sidewalk closures may be in place. Gale Drive will be intermittently closed at Wilshire Boulevard to support construction in the Gale staging yard. Work hours are 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Access to Gale Drive will be maintained from San Vicente Boulevard.

The K-rail work zone in the intersection of Wilshire and San Vicente boulevards is anticipated to be in place through March. Eastbound Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to a single lane between Tower Drive and San Vicente Boulevard, and westbound Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to a single lane between La Jolla Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard.

Station construction, hauling and concrete pouring also continue near Wilshire/Fairfax. Work hours in the Ogden staging yard have increased to 24 hours, six to seven days a week for approximately the next two months. To protect workers in the tunnels, the temporary ventilation system will run full speed 24 hours. The period of increased work supports tunneling under the Wilshire/San Vicente intersection.

Through next August, Wilshire Boulevard will also be reduced to two lanes in each direction between San Diego Way and Spaulding Avenue. Ogden Drive will be closed intermittently at Wilshire Boulevard. Orange Grove Avenue remains closed south of Wilshire Boulevard until January 2022. 

Hauling, deliveries and tunneling support are ongoing in construction staging yards near Wilshire/La Brea, and from a K-rail enclosure at Wilshire Boulevard and Orange Drive. Through Saturday, Feb. 27, Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Detroit and June streets. Orange Drive will remain closed north of Wilshire Boulevard. Intermittent lane closures on Wilshire Boulevard and side streets between Highland Avenue and Detroit Street may be in place to support construction from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

At Wilshire and Rimpau boulevards, a work zone on the west side of the intersection of is anticipated to be in place through March 2022. Wilshire Boulevard has been reduced to two lanes in each direction between June Street and Muirfield Road. Concrete and material deliveries are anticipated to continue at the site. Wilshire Boulevard may be intermittently reduced to a single lane in each direction to support ongoing concrete pours in the enclosure.

A K-rail enclosure at Wilshire and Plymouth boulevards will be in place for approximately one year. Wilshire Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Windsor and Plymouth boulevards. Concrete and material deliveries are anticipated to continue through at least the end of February.

Tunneling support continues in a staging yard at Wilshire Boulevard and Manhattan Place, near the current end of the Purple Line at Wilshire/Western. Support for cross passage excavation will continue 24 hours. Northbound Manhattan Place will be intermittently closed just north of Wilshire Boulevard from 4 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Intermittent single lane closures on Wilshire Boulevard may be necessary between Western Avenue and Manhattan Place.

For questions and concerns, call the 24-hour project hotline at (213)922-6934, or visit metro.net.